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LAUREL, Md. (WUSA) -- A student from Laurel High School has been admitted to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation after plotting a "potential violent incident," on Monday, according to City of Laurel officials.

Students at Laurel High School alerted school officials to concerns that they had about a fellow classmate, according to Pete Piringer, spokesperson for the City of Laurel.

9News' Ken Molestina reports that authorities do not believe that the potential plot was inspired by the school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut last week, and that it was apparently already planned. They believe, however, that heightened awareness over Friday's shootings in Connecticut may have contributed to those aware of the teen speaking up.

School officials began investigating and found diagrams and drawings that "indicate some type of violence may have been in the planning stages," Piringer told 9News.

The student's parents told school officials that the student may have access to weapons, Piringer said.

"Through the actions of these fellow students and following the adage 'if you see something say something,' a potentially life threatening situation was avoided," Laurel's police chief said.

Officials say the student was not on school property when he was taken into custody and add that there was no immediate threat to the school.

On Thursday, Prince George's County Public Schools sent this bulletin:

To the PGCPS Community,

I extend my thanks for your patience while the investigation of a potential threat at Laurel High School was underway yesterday. The safety of students and staff is of our utmost concern, and we are extremely thankful that Laurel High School students shared their concerns with the proper authorities so that we could work quickly with the Laurel City Police to investigate the matter.

Although the school never faced a direct threat, we must take all such reports seriously to ensure the well-being of our students and staff. Some of you have expressed your concern regarding the communications of this matter to the public; please be assured that we release all information as soon as it is made available by law enforcement officials. To ensure you receive all future emergency notifications, please sign up for the school system's e-Alerts by clicking here.